Those words, written by Margaret Mitchell beginning in late 1926 in a manuscript later to be known as Gone with the Wind, would serve as the opening paragraph to a 1936 published release spanning over 1,000 pages, winner of the 1937 Pulitzer Prize, and to this day, the second most popular book in American history, trailing only The Holy Bible. It would soon be adapted for a motion picture that would become one of the most beloved cinematic love stories of the 20th century.
Millions of people around the world collect autographs, photos, posters, and various pieces of film, television, sports, and other memorabilia every day. While some items are mass produced and some are limited editions, some are the coveted holy grails of their genre. As more and more items come to market, there has been no standard guide for helping collectors understand what their items are worth, not just sentimentally, but financially. Autograph expert and author Kevin Martin recognized that need and set out to fill that void. Insider's Guide to Collecting consists of a series of books, each geared towards a specific title, that offers collectors current market values on their items, background information on the productions and pieces when available, and tips for collecting additional material in the person's chosen field.